Enhanced with new options and more accuracy (geocentric positions etc.) by Robert von Heeren in March 2003

Attention: modern browsers increased their restrictions regarding older java and flash plugins drastically. In case your browsers prevents you from loading the 3D orbit applet go to system settings, open java module, click on tab security and add the full URL of this page. Save and close it. Restart the browser and reload this page. It should be allowed then. The applet poses no security risk.

In case of minor planets you can search either by number or name/designation. The query tries to find an exact match first, if it fails it gives you the first object which contains your search phrase (except for numbers).The search is case-insensitive.In case you search for a comet then you can enter its full name like '1P/Halley' or just its number '1P/' but don't forget the slash.Comets: Please enter a comet designation like e.g. '1P/Halley'. 'Halley' will find an asteroid not the comet.If you want to find a new comet like for example C/NEAT (2002 V1) then please leave the brackets just enter: C/NEAT 2002 V1.Note: To view and run this java-applet a java virtual machine must be enabled and security zone should be set to middle or lower.Please be patient and wait some time until the java archive is loaded. If you get no applet your browser's java virtual machine may need an upgrade to the latest version.You can download it at java.sun.com: .

When you click on the date-button, a small popup input box appears in the upper left corner of your screen (sometimes barely visible)!